Nico Hülkenberg: “Sorry guys, today is my day too”
After 13 seasons and 239 Grand Prix, the German driver finally claimed his very first career podium. And what a podium it was! Third place was a hard-fought battle in hellish weather conditions, at the end of a race that was as crazy as it was moving.
Starting from 19th on the grid after a difficult qualifying session, few would have bet on such a comeback. But from the first laps, contested in the rain and on intermediate tires, Nico Hülkenberg showed that he had a perfect reading of the track. Thanks to a well-executed strategy and flawless driving, he gradually climbed the ranks, capitalizing on others’ mistakes and key moments in the race.
A perfect management of chaos
The race was marked by sudden showers, a changing track, multiple pit stops, and periods of virtual safety car. In this chaos, the Sauber driver showed calm and consistency, particularly during the crucial transition between wet and slick tires. It was in the second half of the race that he seized third place, notably overtaking Lance Stroll before holding off a comeback from Lewis Hamilton.
The relief of an entire career
Under the constant threat of Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari at the end of the race, Nico Hülkenberg held firm. When he crossed the finish line, the cheers in the Sauber pit reflected the magnitude of the moment. After more than a decade of playing the underdog, substituting for main drivers, or narrowly missing out on top spots, Hülkenberg finally steps onto the podium.
“I knew Lewis was going to try everything in front of his home crowd, but today was my day too,” he said with a big smile.
« Today, I was in denial until the last pit stop, then I heard we’d widened the gap with Lewis, so I thought: okay, a bit of breathing space. But then he was coming back strong. The pressure was there, intense race, but we didn’t crack. »
This podium is not just a beautiful moment of emotion, it’s also a powerful message: tenacity pays off. At 37, Nico Hülkenberg proves that it’s never too late to write a significant chapter in his career. And this result could well reignite Sauber’s ambitions, in search of performance for several seasons.
